Math, teaching, copious metaphors, and drawings that will never ever earn a spot on the fridge

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Learning is a Fluorescent Light

Me:I know this new concept feels hard. But you know what it’s like turning on a fluorescent light? It flickers on, then goes dark, then goes bright for an instant, then goes dark again…

Student #1:Then bright?

Me:Yes, because…

Student #2: And then dark again?

Me:Right. And what I…

Student #1: And then bright!

Me:Yes, yes. And eventually the light comes on, but it’s slow, and there are these alternating moments of illumination and darkness. And that’s how it is understanding tough math. You feel like you get it, then you don’t. There’s a moment where it’s perfectly clear, then a moment where it all seems hopeless. Your understanding flickers at first, but eventually it becomes steady and bright.

Student #3: Oh! I get the analogy!

Me:See? It’ll come to…

Student #3: Wait! I lost the analogy.

Me:Oh… well, I can…

Student #4: Ohhh! Now I get it!

Me:Hmm. Are you just mocking my…?

Student #4: No! It’s gone!

One student starts flicking the light switch off and on, as others cry and shout:

All students: It’s all so clear! No – I’ll never get it! Wait – I see! No – I’ve lost it! Hold on – yes!

I think that’s how long it takes our brain to properly form the right neural connections. It says is this one right? What about this? Hm, nope, went dark, okay lets try that first one again and add this one. Oh better! Okay, now this-crap, we lost it. Go back to the first two, carefully add the third… Okay! We’re good!